Appreciating Our National Language Through The "Buwan ng Wika" Culminating Activity

in Hive PH9 months ago (edited)
Hello everyone! Today's blog is a sharing of my recent experience as a public high school teacher here in Cebu, Philippines. It is not really a new experience since schools always do this every year but this is the first time we held the culmination since the resumption of face-to-face classes. I hope you'll enjoy reading. 😊

Classes in public schools here in the Philippines this year had only started on the last week of August. Usually, classes start in the month of June but the numerous changes post-pandemic had really affected the opening of classes. What we normally do in school everytime the month August comes is to celebrate the "Buwan ng Wika" (in English, "The National Language Month"). This is based on Proclamation No. 1041, s. 1997 that declares the said month as the National Language Month in the Philippines.

image_2023-08-11_154831894-1024x384.png
This year's theme emphasizes the Filipino language (among other native languages and dialects) as a language of peace, security/safety, and social justice (This is based on my own translation/interpretation.😊). Image source

It was only a week before the start of classes when we were informed that, finally, we will be celebrating the "Buwan ng Wika" not on August but on September 1, as the latter is a Friday (which means it is the last day of school for the week). We were also asked to wear our Filipiniana attire on that day. It was a bit challenging for me to look for an outfit. It would be too late to order online. It would be impractical to buy an expensive Filipiniana attire at the mall. So, I decided to wear the outfit I wore for the same event way back 2016 (I prayed it fits! Hahaha!).

373466026_680067870677834_364710177367677821_n.jpg
A quick pic with some of my colleagues 👩‍🏫👨‍🏫

The program started at around 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Most of my colleagues were wearing different versions and styles representing Filipino costume. It was quite humid but we tried to bear with it as this is one way to celebrate and give value to our language and culture. Moreover, this only happens once a year.

373463762_708126911134054_1914876264471916200_n.jpg
The lower tv screens malfunctioned so I couldn't clearly view the whole picture with the theme.😵

The first part was an introduction of all the faculty members (per department) as well as the school administration.👐 I'm sharing some photos of the teachers of the grade levels I was already able to teach in--Grade 7, 8, 11, and 12.

373472437_902958054767789_4432862685618094099_n.jpg They are some of the Grade 7 classroom advisers. 💜 I used to be one of them, too.😊

373467838_1338572397075432_8612127875334019066_n.jpg These are the teachers handling Grade 8 classes. Yes, I'm teaching Grade 8 now.💜
(Btw, thanks to a colleague who took this photo using my phone.)

373466610_726623405967458_4638175492531405324_n.jpg Sharing a photo of the Grade 11 and Grade 12 teachers. I've taught in the senior high school department for a few semesters even before the pandemic. Thankful for the opportunity. 💜

There were song and dance presentations, a radio broadcasting presentation,and a showcase of spoken poetry. All used Filipino music and Filipino language.

373463688_821157409801763_435744665197556741_n.jpg

373473903_349456994175294_5821378959543691830_n.jpg

Some of our colleagues also shared to us their singing talent. Their voices are really amazing. All I could do was sing along some familiar lines of the songs.

373463791_832187565224297_5228064384529055956_n.jpg The crystal voices of our school. Proud to be working with these ladies.🎤🎼

373469700_1236968640308789_8888165327825253697_n.jpg Our award-winning Solid Waste Management Coordinator 👏

What followed was the awarding of the winners of the recently held contests such as Poster-Making, Slogan-Making, and Essay Writing. The victors were given medals and cash prizes. Unfortunately, mid-awarding, there was a power failure so the Filipino department had to make use of a bluetooth speaker to keep the program going.

373472299_1308551830036803_1918245764983987874_n.jpg

373473776_1046414203027893_7017170608553009206_n.jpg

Luckily, power was back on and we were able to peacefully continue with the program. The teachers of the Filipino department were able to present their dance. I know they've practiced this dance for a short period of time but they were able to pull it off.

373464911_283462427773779_2933312277864728765_n.jpg

At the close of the program, we were surprised with an awarding of the best-dressed teachers for the event. I was lucky to be chosen as one of the winners. Thank you for this Filipino teachers!

373467793_1339940353267187_45448276383443697_n.jpg

The activity was filled with smiles and laughters. I enjoyed the community dance the most as we were all dancing and just having fun. I was unable to take pictures though because I was just excited to dance with my colleagues.

373469732_1433784640810364_375381838249103991_n.jpg A photo with some of my closest colleagues 💜 Thanks to a student for taking this photo for me.


To some, this may just be an ordinary celebration. There were things that were amazingly done despite the short preparation period. There were also things that will surely be improved next time. But all in all, seeing more than 150 colleagues and the school administration work together and support each other on this occasion was worth the time and the effort. We were able to celebrate our culture and language as well as appreciate each one. Our participation was a symbol that our language and culture will always bring people together. 💜


Thank you dear Hive friends for reading this blog. I hope you'll have a great weekend. See you next time. 💜


Note: All photos, except for one, are taken using my cellphone. The source of the image of the event's theme has been properly indicated in that photo's caption.

Sort:  

Congratulations, your post has been added to Pinmapple! 🎉🥳🍍

Did you know you have your own profile map?
And every post has their own map too!

Want to have your post on the map too?

  • Go to Pinmapple
  • Click the get code button
  • Click on the map where your post should be (zoom in if needed)
  • Copy and paste the generated code in your post (Hive only)
  • Congrats, your post is now on the map!

Thank you very much @pinmapple 💜

Mahalin ang sariling atin! Thank you for sharing with us this blog maam.

True indeed. Thank you for taking the time to read, maam. 😊

Ipagmalaki ang ating pambansang wika at dapat pagyabungin at pagyamanin ito sa pamamagitan ng paggamit araw araw. Thank you for sharing this with us @lifewithchel

Thank you for reading ma'am...Proud Filipino forever 💜

Congratulations @lifewithchel! You have completed the following achievement on the Hive blockchain And have been rewarded with New badge(s)

You received more than 5000 upvotes.
Your next target is to reach 6000 upvotes.

You can view your badges on your board and compare yourself to others in the Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word STOP

Check out our last posts:

The countdown to HiveFest⁸ is two weeks away - Join us and get your exclusive badge!

Thank you very much for this @hivebuzz 😊

That's great @lifewithchel! You're doing a great job on Hive! We keep cheering you on for your next goal!

Miss, towering kaayo ang height, dali kaayo makit-an.😊

Sanay patuloy nating mahalin at ipagmalaki ang sariling atin.😊

Hahaha...mao gyud miss klaro kaayo pirme 😂
Let's thrive Filipinos 💜

You are beautiful in your Filipiana ma'am, the culmination was a successful one. Great work teachers!

Thank you very much ma'am @simplybil 💜

Proud pinoy here, mahalin natin ang sarili nating wika. Salamat sa pag share ma'am.

Thank you for dropping by @maroone😊

Thankyou for sharing! Be proud to be a Pinoy! mahalin ang sariling atin at ipagmalaki palagi 💛

Thank you @graxaa for taking the time to read. 😊